Heesen Yachts is known for its range of series-built megayachts that are mostly customized inside, not fully custom yachts where the first lines drawn are based on the owner’s imagination. But sometimes breaking with tradition makes sense to a shipyard, which explains the commissioning of Crazy Me, a 164-footer (50-meter) that just hit the water at Heesen Yachts.
If the megayacht project doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because Heesen Yachts hasn’t been able to reveal any details until the launch and christening, which took place last week. In keeping with being the first all-custom launch (a.k.a. one-off launch) from Heesen since the 1980s, when it built notable one-offs like Octopussy, Crazy Me marks a decided departure in styling. The owners tapped Gary Grant Design, who has graced a handful of yachts with interesting and innovative shapes. These include the 116-foot (35.4-meter) Margaux, built by Advanced Ocean Systems in 1993, and more recently Adler, measuring 135’10” (41.45 meters) and built at Lauderdale Marine Center in Florida in 2005. In fact, Crazy Me bears some resemblance to Adler.
The husband half of Crazy Me’s owners worked closely with Gary Grant Design to ensure the megayacht reflected swoops and other dramatic curves. If you think her profile is dramatic, highlighted by shaped glass (which additionally blocks a good deal of sound and is less reflective than traditional glass), check out the closeup view of her bow, above. Here, you can really get a sense of how idiosyncratic the overall “swoosh” styling is. Even though Heesen Yachts collaborated with Van Oossanen Naval Architects for the engineering, as it does for many projects, the execution was still a challenge for both teams.
Inside, Cristiano Gatto worked with the owners on creating a contemporary atmosphere. No sketches are available of the four guest staterooms, owner’s suite, or other areas that make the most of the 32’8” (10-meter) beam. However, you can use your imagination to picture the effect that the glass-bottomed pool on the sundeck has in filtering light down to the main aft deck. You can also imagine that entertainment is a priority for the owners, since the husband designed the music system.
Delivery for Crazy Me is expected this month. The megayacht should see a 21-knot top speed (at half load) thanks to twin MTU diesel engines during sea trials.
Michael Anderson
Hi Diane,
I designed the Adler II for Gary Grant and also did a lot of work on the Crazy Me project.
Michael